Daily Archives: May 6, 2019

2019-05-06: News Headlines

Consortium News (2019-05-06). 10 Questions the Mueller Report Doesn't Answer. theantimedia.com (CN) — In January 2017, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper issued a report about Russian interference co-signed by three other agencies — the National Security Agency, the FBI, and the CIA — that was so evidence-free that even The New York Times said it was "unlikely to change the minds of skeptics who … remember the intelligence agencies' faulty assessments on …

Thomas Knapp (2019-05-06). Julian Assange: An Opportunity for the US and the UK to Change Direction on Press Freedom. counterpunch.org May 3 was World Press Freedom Day. The annual observance usually focuses on the World Press Freedom Index published each year by Reporters without Borders. Break out the champagne! The United States ranked 48th of 179 countries this year, falling three places from 2018. A day earlier, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange appeared in court in More

WSWS Repost (2019-05-06). Politicians celebrate "World Press Freedom Day" as Julian Assange languishes in prison. indybay.org Even as the world celebrated World Press Freedom Day, Julian Assange was locked up in a high-security prison facing the threat of rendition to the US.

International Labor Media Network (2019-05-06). Press Freedom Day UK Embassy and the Federal Building San Francisco Stream. indybay.org On World Press Freedom Day supporters of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning and all journalists and whistleblowers rallied in San Francisco at the UK consulate and the US Federal Building. They spoke out about the attacks on journalism and the role of US imperialism. This was streamed live on the International Labor Media Network Channel…

WSWS (2019-05-06). Assange's father tells demonstrators Australian government must secure son's release. wsws.org Friday's protest in Sydney was held two days after Assange was sentenced in a British court to 50 weeks' jail on bogus bail charges.

Consortiumnews (2019-05-06). Top Ten Questions About the Mueller Report. consortiumnews.com Daniel Lazare examines some of the missing pieces in the special counsel's 448-page tome on Russian interference. By Daniel Lazare Special to Consortium News In January 2017, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper issued a report about Russian interference co-signed… Read more →

Democracy Now! (2019-05-06). Ex-Blackwater CEO Erik Prince Makes a Comeback Under Trump Selling Mercenary Armies Around the World. democracynow.org The House Intelligence Committee has sent a criminal referral to the Justice Department for Erik Prince, founder of the mercenary firm Blackwater. House Democrats are accusing Prince of lying to Congress during his November 2017 testimony before the Committee, when he described a meeting in the Seychelles with a Russian banker before Donald Trump's inauguration as a chance encounter. According to the Mueller report, the meeting was an attempt to establish a backchannel between the incoming Trump administration and Russia, and may have been arranged by the Trump team. The move is one of the latest actions placing…

RT (2019-05-06). Mueller report row: House Dem chair calls vote to hold AG Barr in contempt of Congress. rt.com House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler has scheduled a vote to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress, after Barr's Justice Department refused to hand over an unredacted copy of the Mueller report. |

Austyn Ross (2019-05-06). NAACP Opposes Michael Park's Nomination to Second Circuit, Says Failure to Support Brown V. Board is Disqualifying. naacp.org Today, the NAACP announced its opposition to the nomination of Michael Park to the U.S Circuit Court for the Second Circuit. The Senate will vote on Mr. Park's nomination later this week. Derrick Johnson, president and CEO, made the following statement: "Next week, we celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Supreme Court's seminal decision in …

Staff (2019-05-06). Citizenship Question Could Invalidate 2020 Census. therealnews.com Immigration activist Attorney Andrea Senteno analyzes the significance of the Supreme Court's hearing on including a citizenship question on the 2020 census…

John Nichols (2019-05-06). Andrew Gillum Wants the Supreme Court to be a Central Issue in 2020. thenation.com Andrew Gillum Wants the Supreme Court to be a Central Issue in 2020…

Jon Queally (2019-05-06). Despite International Law, Pompeo Claims US Military Attack on Venezuela "Would Be Lawful" theantimedia.com (CD) — After U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday morning that President Donald Trump has a "full range of options" when it comes to possible next moves against Venezuela, anti-war critics are wondering what the Democrats in Congress are prepared to do in order to curtail the administration's ongoing threat of using military force to …

teleSUR (2019-05-06). Russia's Lavrov Warns Against US Military Action in Venezuela. telesurenglish.net Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held talks with his U.S. counterpart Mike Pompeo in Finland Monday after which he warned that U.S. ‚Äã‚Äã‚Äã‚Äã‚Äã‚Äãmilitary intervention in Venezuela would be catastrophic and unjustified. | The two men met on the sidelines of a meeting of the Arctic Council in Finland. | Lavrov told reporters his meeting had been constructive and that the two top diplomats had made decent progress when it came to discussing strategic nuclear stability. | Lavrov also said he was…

Aaron Maté (2019-05-06). Rachel Maddow endorses regime change in Venezuela to "push Russia back," sympathizes with Bolton and Pompeo. thegrayzone.com The top rated MSNBC host took her trademark brand of liberal militarism to new levels by branding efforts to avert…

Binoy Kampmark (2019-05-06). Disproportionate Sentences: Julian Assange, Bail, and Extradition. counterpunch.org Should journalism ever have a deity worth His, Her or Its salt, looking down upon the recent proceedings against Julian Assange will provide endless choking fits of confusion and dismay. The prosecution continues in the twisted logic that engaging a source to disclose something secret while also protecting anonymity is somehow unnatural in the world More

Eoin Higgins, staff writer (2019-05-06). Pompeo, in Finland, Calls China Claims to Arctic 'Lawlessness'. commondreams.org Pompeo likened the situation to the South China Sea: "fraught with militarization and competing territorial claims." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/pompeo_finland_0.png

unitedEditor (2019-05-05). April 2019 — geopolitical events. uwidata.com Europe Assange arrested On April 11, Julian Assange, founder of Wikileaks, was arrested in London after Ecuador revoked political asylum earlier granted to the journalist. Since 2012, Assange has been held in the Ecuadorian embassy in London. Britain is likely to extradite Assange to the US against Assange's wishes. Assange is accused in …

RT (2019-05-05). 'Any US action in Venezuela would be lawful': Pompeo drums up invasion option after failed coup. rt.com As Mike Pompeo prepares to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss the crisis in Venezuela, the US secretary of state said bluntly that President Donald Trump has a "full range" of powers to intervene at will. |

Staff (2019-05-04). Guilt by Association? Arrest of Assange Friend Has No Basis. therealnews.com Cyber-security and privacy expert Ola Bini was arrested in Ecuador the same day that Ecuador revoked Julian Assange's asylum. A court now affirmed his pre-trial detention, while his parents and his lawyers say it has no basis…

Binoy Kampmark (2019-05-04). Disproportionate Sentences: Julian Assange, Bail, and Extradition. dissidentvoice.org Should journalism ever have a deity worth His, Her or Its salt, looking down upon the recent proceedings against Julian Assange will provide endless choking fits of confusion and dismay. The prosecution continues in the twisted logic that engaging a source to disclose something secret while also protecting anonymity is somehow unnatural in the world …

Staff (2019-05-04). Assange Extradition Will Have Chilling Effect on Investigative Journalism, Free Speech. therealnews.com We speak to Julian Assange's lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, about the first extradition hearing Assange had in London, where he refused to voluntarily turn himself over to US authorities…

RT (2019-05-04). Who is General Barr? Senators seem to not know how to address an attorney general. rt.com Lawmakers had plenty of questions for US Attorney General William Barr about his assessment of Robert Mueller's report on the 'Russia collusion' probe, but some seemed at a loss as to how to address him.

RT (2019-05-04). Lee Camp ponders Pompeo's CIA lies & Guaido's embassy-storming goons (VIDEO). rt.com American comedian Lee Camp dove into this week's most eye-catching headlines, tearing apart bizarre comments made by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and weighing in on right-wingers laying siege to the Venezuelan Embassy.

Whitney Webb (2019-05-03). Anti-War Voices on Both Sides Warn of Coming CIA Provocation to Kill Guaidó, Blame Maduro. mintpressnews.com With Guaidó rapidly losing momentum and credibility after Tuesday's failed coup, López and his U.S. backers may turn on their own if they think it will benefit or energize their cause or if it could be used to set the stage for foreign military intervention.

Democracy Now! (2019-05-03). Headlines for May 3, 2019. democracynow.org Pelosi Accuses Barr of Lying to Congress over Mueller Report, Rep. Nadler Threatens to Hold Barr in Contempt, Over a Million Evacuate as Cyclone Slams Northeastern India, Venezuela Court Orders Arrest of Opposition Leader Leopoldo López, Two Activists Arrested Outside Venezuelan Embassy in D.C., EU Threatens to Sue U.S. over New Restrictions on Cuba, Senate Fails to Overturn Trump Veto on Yemen War, Assange to Fight Extradition to the United States, Pentagon Accused of Killing 10x as Many Civilians Overseas as Acknowledged in New Report, Report: U.S. Military Spending Is Higher Than Next Eight Countries Combined,…

Kevin Gosztola (2019-05-03). 'A Massive Chill On Investigative Journalism': First Hearing In Julian Assange's Extradition Case. shadowproof.com The first procedural hearing in WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's extradition case was held in the United Kingdom. It was very brief, and Assange appeared via video link from Belmarsh prison. "I do not wish to surrender myself for extradition for doing journalism that has won many, many awards and protected…

susan_p (2019-05-03). Venezuela: Another coup fails. greenleft.org.au "Interim President" Juan Guaido and right-wing opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez spearheaded an unsuccessful coup attempt in Caracas on April 30. | The thwarted uprising started in the early morning hours when renegade military and intelligence officers reportedly released Lopez from house arrest. Lopez then joined Guaido and a handful of soldiers on the Altamira overpass in east Caracas, outside the Francisco de Miranda airbase, known as La Carlota. | Lopez and Guaido released videos on social media, call…

John Nichols (2019-05-03). The Constitution Is on the Side of Jerry Nadler, Not William Barr. thenation.com The Constitution Is on the Side of Jerry Nadler, Not William Barr…

Special to People's World (2019-05-03). House issues ultimatum to Barr to release full Mueller report. peoplesworld.org

Staff (2019-05-03). Barr Hearings on Mueller Report Display the Threat to Democracy. therealnews.com Attorney and activist Kamau Franklin dissects the questioning of Attorney General Barr on his handling of the Mueller report…

Consortiumnews (2019-05-02). Assange to Extradition Court: 'I Won't Surrender to the US for Doing Journalism'. consortiumnews.com The WikiLeaks founder appeared via video link in Westminster Magistrates Court for the first hearing in what could be a lengthy process in the US request for extradition. By Joe Lauria Special to Consortium News Julian Assange had his first… Read more →

Keegan Hankes, Researcher, Intelligence Project (2019-05-02). SPLC: Facebook and Instagram ban far-right and extremist figures, but still have more work to do against hateful content. splcenter.org Facebook and Instagram announced today that they have banned several far-right, antisemitic and extremist figures and organizations for being "dangerous," a sign that they are more aggressively enforcing their hate speech policies under pressure from civil rights organizations, including the SPLC.

Consortiumnews (2019-05-02). Venezuela: Failed Coup Argues for New Approach. consortiumnews.com The Trump administration should set aside its disinformation campaign and start looking at reality, says Fulton Armstrong. By Fulton Armstrong Special to Consortium News The Trump administration's approach to Venezuela have both policy and intelligence failure written all over them…. Read more →

John Nichols (2019-05-02). Has Donald Trump Committed High Crimes and Misdemeanors? thenation.com Has Donald Trump Committed High Crimes and Misdemeanors?

Democracy Now! (2019-05-02). Headlines for May 2, 2019. democracynow.org Attorney General Barr Grilled by Senate Judiciary over Mueller Report, Trump Administration Says It May Go to War to Oust Venezuelan President, Hundreds Arrested in St. Petersburg, Russia, and Paris, France, at May Day Rallies, Haitians Mark May Day with Calls for Living Wages, Ouster of President MoàØse, Honduras Cancels Education and Healthcare Privatization Plans Amid Protests, Puerto Rico May Day Protesters Demand End to Austerity Measures, 10,000 South Carolina Teachers Rally for Union Rights and Livable Wages, New York Domestic Workers Join Protest at the Trump Building on Wall Street, 16-Year-Old Gu…

Democracy Now! (2019-05-01). Headlines for May 1, 2019. democracynow.org Venezuelan President Says U.S.-Backed Coup Attempt Has Been Defeated, Julian Assange Sentenced to 50 Weeks in British Jail as U.S. Presses Extradition, Robert Mueller Sent Letter to Complain About AG William Barr's Summary of Report, Ady Barkan, Activist Dying of ALS, Testifies to Congress in Favor of Medicare for All, 2 Killed, 4 Injured as Gunman Opens Fire at University of North Carolina, Minnesota Cop Guilty of Murder, Manslaughter in Killing of Australian Woman, Prominent Black Women Rally on Capitol Hill in Defense of Rep. Ilhan Omar, Democratic Leaders Agree With Trump to Pursue $2 Trillion Infrastructure…

Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz (2019-05-01). Venezuelans Hold Rival Marches for Workers' Day as Pompeo Threatens 'Military Action'. venezuelanalysis.com Opposition leader Juan Guaido called for "escalating strikes" following Tuesday's failed military putsch.

ACLU (2019-04-30). There's a Battle Brewing at Google Over Employee Speech. The Outcome Affects Us All. aclu.org Retaliating against Big Tech employees who push their employers to do the right thing is a threat to us all. | The outcome of a battle heating up at Google over the limits of employee free speech will have huge consequences for all of us. Will Google shut down internal dissent and silence whistleblowers? Or will the company live up to its initial motto, "Don't be evil?" | In 2017, researchers Meredith Whittaker and Kate Crawford founded the AI Now Institute at New York University, with the goal of "produc[ing] interdisciplinary research on the social implication…

Ryan Devereaux (2019-04-30). Elizabeth Warren Calls for Investigation Into Monitoring of Family Separation Protests. theintercept.com Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren is calling on the Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Inspector General to open an internal investigation following revelations that a private intelligence firm provided the law enforcement agency with information on hundreds of protests against the Trump administration's policy of family separation. | "This most recent reporting raises questions about the government surveillance of Americans exercising their constitutional rights to organize peacefully and protest a cruel and unjust policy that does not make America safer or improve our immigration system and asylu…

Democracy Now! (2019-04-30). Headlines for April 30, 2019. democracynow.org Venezuelan Opposition Leaders Claim a Coup Is Underway, Trump to Make Asylum Seekers Pay Application Fees, Trump Organization Sues Banks in Bid to Resist Congressional Subpoenas, Pentagon Links More U.S. Military Members to Neo-Nazi Group, Christchurch, NZ Police Find Explosive Device Amid Fears of More Anti-Muslim Violence, Terror Suspect Arrested After Receiving Fake Explosives from FBI Informant, Lori Gilbert-Kaye, Killed in Synagogue Shooting, Mourned at San Diego Funeral, Trump to Designate the Muslim Brotherhood a Terrorist Organization, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, Who Oversaw Mueller Probe, Ste…

unitedEditor (2019-04-29). FBI: The greatest danger comes from Beijing. uwidata.com Recently, FBI Director Christopher Wray declared that the greatest danger to the US is from Beijing, not Moscow. Director Wray: No country poses a broader, more severe intelligence collection threat than China. China has pioneered a societal approach to stealing innovation in any way it can, from a wide array of businesses, universities, & organizations. …

Jared Ware & Miles Quarles (2019-04-29). How Movement To Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Prevailed Over Obstruction Of A Progressive Prosecutor. shadowproof.com A late December ruling by the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas Judge Leon Tucker re-opened pathways for long-time political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal to litigate his freedom. | "Progressive prosecutor" Larry Krasner's appeal of the ruling stood in the way until Wednesday, April 17. At issue was whether Ronald Castille—a former Philadelphia District Attorney, Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice, and Krasner transition team member—had a constitutional duty to recuse himself from Mumia's appeals of…

unitedEditor (2019-04-25). A Dangerous global trend (part two). uwidata.com The Belgian intelligence service (VSSE) had earlier warned that members of a far-right racist group, mainly based in Austria and Belgium, were "actively arming themselves." According to the VSSE, the far-right in Western Europe began to "call on their members to learn to shoot and acquire weapons both legally and illegally." This information, alongside a …

Mark Fiore (2019-04-25). Free Advice for Democrats. progressive.org Now that the redacted Mueller report lays out what appears to be evidence of a president obstructing justice, it's up to Congress.

Bill Blum (2019-04-25). Unequal Justice: As the Next Census Approaches, Will the Supreme Court Side with Trump in his War on Immigrants? progressive.org The idea for reinstating the citizenship question came from discussions including White House chief strategist Steve Bannon and former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, both of whom have long histories as proponents of anti-immigrant policies.

ACLU (2019-04-24). An Indictment in All But Name. aclu.org The report dispassionately lays out the facts, which are an indictment in all but name. | Special Counsel Robert Mueller's long-awaited report, released to the public in a redacted version on April 18, lays out in meticulous detail both a blatantly illegal effort by Russia to throw the 2016 presidential election to Donald Trump and repeated efforts by President Trump to end, limit, or impede Mueller's investigation of Russian interference. Trump's efforts included firing or attempting to fire those overseeing the investigation, directing subordinates to lie on his behalf, cajoling witnesses not to cooperate, and…

Dennis J. Bernstein (2019-04-23). Daniel Ellsberg Speaks Out on the Arrest of Julian Assange. progressive.org "Without whistleblowers we would not have a democracy. And there have to be people to distribute work and publish it."

Ricardo Vaz (2019-04-15). Venezuela: Canada Imposes Fresh Sanctions as Pompeo Vows to 'Tighten Noose'. venezuelanalysis.com US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the Lima Group have pledged more sanctions against Venezuela.

2019-05-06: Social Media Postees

10 Questions the Mueller Report Doesn't Answer
Consortium News | theantimedia.com | 2019-05-06
(CN) — In January 2017, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper issued a report about Russian interference co-signed by three other agencies — the National Security Agency, the FBI, and the CIA — that was so evidence-free that even The New York Times said it was "unlikely to change the minds of skeptics who … remember the intelligence agencies' faulty assessments on …

10 Questions the Mueller Report Doesn’t Answer

Assange's father tells demonstrators Australian government must secure son's release
wsws.org | 2019-05-06
Friday's protest in Sydney was held two days after Assange was sentenced in a British court to 50 weeks' jail on bogus bail charges.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/05/06/assa-a06.html

Julian Assange: An Opportunity for the US and the UK to Change Direction on Press Freedom
Thomas Knapp | counterpunch.org | 2019-05-06
May 3 was World Press Freedom Day. The annual observance usually focuses on the World Press Freedom Index published each year by Reporters without Borders. Break out the champagne! The United States ranked 48th of 179 countries this year, falling three places from 2018. A day earlier, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange appeared in court in…
counterpunch.org/2019/05/06/julian-assange-an-opportunity-for-the-us-and-the-uk-to-change-direction-on-press-freedom/

Press Freedom Day UK Embassy and the Federal Building San Francisco Stream
International Labor Media Network | indybay.org | 2019-05-06
On World Press Freedom Day supporters of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning and all journalists and whistleblowers rallied in San Francisco at the UK consulate and the US Federal Building. They spoke out about the attacks on journalism and the role of US imperialism. This was streamed live on the International Labor Media Network Channel…
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/05/04/18823172.php

Politicians celebrate "World Press Freedom Day" as Julian Assange languishes in prison
WSWS Repost | indybay.org | 2019-05-06
Even as the world celebrated World Press Freedom Day, Julian Assange was locked up in a high-security prison facing the threat of rendition to the US.
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/05/04/18823166.php

Disproportionate Sentences: Julian Assange, Bail, and Extradition
Binoy Kampmark | counterpunch.org | 2019-05-06
Should journalism ever have a deity worth His, Her or Its salt, looking down upon the recent proceedings against Julian Assange will provide endless choking fits of confusion and dismay. The prosecution continues in the twisted logic that engaging a source to disclose something secret while also protecting anonymity is somehow unnatural in the world…
counterpunch.org/2019/05/06/disproportionate-sentences-julian-assange-bail-and-extradition/

Top Ten Questions About the Mueller Report
consortiumnews.com | 2019-05-06
Daniel Lazare examines some of the missing pieces in the special counsel's 448-page tome on Russian interference. By Daniel Lazare Special to Consortium News In January 2017, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper issued a report about Russian interference co-signed… Read more ?…
consortiumnews.com/2019/05/06/top-10-questions-about-the-mueller-report/

Ex-Blackwater CEO Erik Prince Makes a Comeback Under Trump Selling Mercenary Armies Around the World
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2019-05-06
The House Intelligence Committee has sent a criminal referral to the Justice Department for Erik Prince, founder of the mercenary firm Blackwater. House Democrats are accusing Prince of lying to Congress during his November 2017 testimony before the Committee, when he described a meeting in the Seychelles with a Russian banker before Donald Trump's inauguration as a chance encounter. According to the Mueller report, the meeting was an attempt to establish a backchannel between the incoming Trump administration and Russia, and may have been arranged by the Trump team. The move is one of the latest actions placing…
www.democracynow.org/2019/5/6/ex_blackwater_ceo_erik_prince_makes

Mueller report row: House Dem chair calls vote to hold AG Barr in contempt of Congress
rt.com | 2019-05-06
House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler has scheduled a vote to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress, after Barr's Justice Department refused to hand over an unredacted copy of the Mueller report. | …
rt.com/usa/458505-barr-contempt-vote-mueller/

Citizenship Question Could Invalidate 2020 Census
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-05-06
Immigration activist Attorney Andrea Senteno analyzes the significance of the Supreme Court's hearing on including a citizenship question on the 2020 census…
therealnews.com/stories/citizenship-question-could-invalidate-2020-census

Andrew Gillum Wants the Supreme Court to be a Central Issue in 2020
John Nichols | thenation.com | 2019-05-06
Andrew Gillum Wants the Supreme Court to be a Central Issue in 2020…
thenation.com/article/andrew-gillum-supreme-court-2020/

NAACP Opposes Michael Park's Nomination to Second Circuit, Says Failure to Support Brown V. Board is Disqualifying
Austyn Ross | naacp.org | 2019-05-06
Today, the NAACP announced its opposition to the nomination of Michael Park to the U.S Circuit Court for the Second Circuit. The Senate will vote on Mr. Park's nomination later this week. Derrick Johnson, president and CEO, made the following statement: "Next week, we celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Supreme Court's seminal decision in …
naacp.org/latest/naacp-opposes-michael-parks-nomination-second-circuit-says-failure-support-brown-v-board-disqualifying/

Rachel Maddow endorses regime change in Venezuela to "push Russia back," sympathizes with Bolton and Pompeo
Aaron Maté | thegrayzone.com | 2019-05-06
The top rated MSNBC host took her trademark brand of liberal militarism to new levels by branding efforts to avert…
thegrayzone.com/2019/05/06/rachel-maddow-endorses-war-venezuela/

Pompeo, in Finland, Calls China Claims to Arctic 'Lawlessness'
Eoin Higgins, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-05-06
Pompeo likened the situation to the South China Sea: "fraught with militarization and competing territorial claims." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/pompeo_finland_0.png
commondreams.org/news/2019/05/06/pompeo-finland-calls-china-claims-arctic-lawlessness?cd-origin=rss

Russia's Lavrov Warns Against US Military Action in Venezuela
telesurenglish.net | 2019-05-06
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held talks with his U.S. counterpart Mike Pompeo in Finland Monday after which he warned that U.S. ‚Äã‚Äã‚Äã‚Äã‚Äã‚Äãmilitary intervention in Venezuela would be catastrophic and unjustified. | The two men met on the sidelines of a meeting of the Arctic Council in Finland. | Lavrov told reporters his meeting had been constructive and that the two top diplomats had made decent progress when it came to discussing strategic nuclear stability. | Lavrov also said he was…
telesurenglish.net/news/After-Pompeo-Meeting-Russias-Lavrov-Says-US-Military-Action-in-Venezuela-Would-Be-Catastrophic-20190506-0011.html

Despite International Law, Pompeo Claims US Military Attack on Venezuela "Would Be Lawful"
Jon Queally | theantimedia.com | 2019-05-06
(CD) — After U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday morning that President Donald Trump has a "full range of options" when it comes to possible next moves against Venezuela, anti-war critics are wondering what the Democrats in Congress are prepared to do in order to curtail the administration's ongoing threat of using military force to …

Despite International Law, Pompeo Claims US Military Attack on Venezuela "Would Be Lawful"

April 2019 — geopolitical events
unitedEditor | uwidata.com | 2019-05-05
Europe Assange arrested On April 11, Julian Assange, founder of Wikileaks, was arrested in London after Ecuador revoked political asylum earlier granted to the journalist. Since 2012, Assange has been held in the Ecuadorian embassy in London. Britain is likely to extradite Assange to the US against Assange's wishes. Assange is accused in …
uwidata.com/3303-april-2019-geopolitical-events/

'Any US action in Venezuela would be lawful': Pompeo drums up invasion option after failed coup
rt.com | 2019-05-05
As Mike Pompeo prepares to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss the crisis in Venezuela, the US secretary of state said bluntly that President Donald Trump has a "full range" of powers to intervene at will. | …
rt.com/usa/458433-venezuela-military-invasion-lawful-pompeo/

Lee Camp ponders Pompeo's CIA lies & Guaido's embassy-storming goons (VIDEO)
rt.com | 2019-05-04
American comedian Lee Camp dove into this week's most eye-catching headlines, tearing apart bizarre comments made by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and weighing in on right-wingers laying siege to the Venezuelan Embassy. | …
rt.com/usa/458372-lee-camp-venezuela-assange-nyc/

Assange Extradition Will Have Chilling Effect on Investigative Journalism, Free Speech
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-05-04
We speak to Julian Assange's lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, about the first extradition hearing Assange had in London, where he refused to voluntarily turn himself over to US authorities…
therealnews.com/stories/assange-extradition-will-have-chilling-effect-on-investigative-journalism-free-speech

Guilt by Association? Arrest of Assange Friend Has No Basis
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-05-04
Cyber-security and privacy expert Ola Bini was arrested in Ecuador the same day that Ecuador revoked Julian Assange's asylum. A court now affirmed his pre-trial detention, while his parents and his lawyers say it has no basis…
therealnews.com/stories/guilt-by-association-arrest-of-assange-friend-has-no-basis

Disproportionate Sentences: Julian Assange, Bail, and Extradition
Binoy Kampmark | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-05-04
Should journalism ever have a deity worth His, Her or Its salt, looking down upon the recent proceedings against Julian Assange will provide endless choking fits of confusion and dismay. The prosecution continues in the twisted logic that engaging a source to disclose something secret while also protecting anonymity is somehow unnatural in the world …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/05/disproportionate-sentences-julian-assange-bail-and-extradition/

Who is General Barr? Senators seem to not know how to address an attorney general
rt.com | 2019-05-04
Lawmakers had plenty of questions for US Attorney General William Barr about his assessment of Robert Mueller's report on the 'Russia collusion' probe, but some seemed at a loss as to how to address him. | …
rt.com/usa/458338-who-is-general-barr-senators/

Anti-War Voices on Both Sides Warn of Coming CIA Provocation to Kill Guaidó, Blame Maduro
Whitney Webb | mintpressnews.com | 2019-05-03
With Guaidó rapidly losing momentum and credibility after Tuesday's failed coup, López and his U.S. backers may turn on their own if they think it will benefit or energize their cause or if it could be used to set the stage for foreign military intervention.
mintpressnews.com/anti-war-voices-warn-of-cia-provocation-to-kill-guaido-blame-maduro/258178/

'A Massive Chill On Investigative Journalism': First Hearing In Julian Assange's Extradition Case
Kevin Gosztola | shadowproof.com | 2019-05-03
The first procedural hearing in WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's extradition case was held in the United Kingdom. It was very brief, and Assange appeared via video link from Belmarsh prison. "I do not wish to surrender myself for extradition for doing journalism that has won many, many awards and protected…
shadowproof.com/2019/05/02/massive-chill-investigative-journalism-hearing-assange-extradition/

Venezuela: Another coup fails
susan_p | greenleft.org.au | 2019-05-03
"Interim President" Juan Guaido and right-wing opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez spearheaded an unsuccessful coup attempt in Caracas on April 30. | The thwarted uprising started in the early morning hours when renegade military and intelligence officers reportedly released Lopez from house arrest. Lopez then joined Guaido and a handful of soldiers on the Altamira overpass in east Caracas, outside the Francisco de Miranda airbase, known as La Carlota. | Lopez and Guaido released videos on social media, call…
greenleft.org.au/content/venezuela-another-coup-fails

The Constitution Is on the Side of Jerry Nadler, Not William Barr
John Nichols | thenation.com | 2019-05-03
The Constitution Is on the Side of Jerry Nadler, Not William Barr…
thenation.com/article/william-barr-jerry-nadler-constitution-mueller-report/

House issues ultimatum to Barr to release full Mueller report
Special to People's World | peoplesworld.org | 2019-05-03
peoplesworld.org/article/house-issues-ultimatum-to-barr-to-release-full-mueller-report/

Barr Hearings on Mueller Report Display the Threat to Democracy
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-05-03
Attorney and activist Kamau Franklin dissects the questioning of Attorney General Barr on his handling of the Mueller report…
therealnews.com/stories/barr-hearings-on-mueller-report-display-the-threat-to-democracy

Assange to Extradition Court: 'I Won't Surrender to the US for Doing Journalism'
consortiumnews.com | 2019-05-02
The WikiLeaks founder appeared via video link in Westminster Magistrates Court for the first hearing in what could be a lengthy process in the US request for extradition. By Joe Lauria Special to Consortium News Julian Assange had his first… Read more ?…
consortiumnews.com/2019/05/02/assange-to-extradition-court-i-wont-surrender-to-the-us-for-doing-journalism/

Venezuela: Failed Coup Argues for New Approach
consortiumnews.com | 2019-05-02
The Trump administration should set aside its disinformation campaign and start looking at reality, says Fulton Armstrong. By Fulton Armstrong Special to Consortium News The Trump administration's approach to Venezuela have both policy and intelligence failure written all over them…. Read more ?…
consortiumnews.com/2019/05/01/venezuela-failed-coup-argues-for-new-approach/

SPLC: Facebook and Instagram ban far-right and extremist figures, but still have more work to do against hateful content
Keegan Hankes, Researcher, Intelligence Project | splcenter.org | 2019-05-02
Facebook and Instagram announced today that they have banned several far-right, antisemitic and extremist figures and organizations for being "dangerous," a sign that they are more aggressively enforcing their hate speech policies under pressure from civil rights organizations, including the SPLC.
splcenter.org/news/2019/05/02/splc-facebook-and-instagram-ban-far-right-and-extremist-figures-still-have-more-work-do

Has Donald Trump Committed High Crimes and Misdemeanors?
John Nichols | thenation.com | 2019-05-02
Has Donald Trump Committed High Crimes and Misdemeanors?
thenation.com/article/impeachment-trump-congress-mueller-barr/

Venezuelans Hold Rival Marches for Workers' Day as Pompeo Threatens 'Military Action'
Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-05-01
Opposition leader Juan Guaido called for "escalating strikes" following Tuesday's failed military putsch.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14458

There's a Battle Brewing at Google Over Employee Speech. The Outcome Affects Us All
aclu.org | 2019-04-30
Retaliating against Big Tech employees who push their employers to do the right thing is a threat to us all. | The outcome of a battle heating up at Google over the limits of employee free speech will have huge consequences for all of us. Will Google shut down internal dissent and silence whistleblowers? Or will the company live up to its initial motto, "Don't be evil?" | In 2017, researchers Meredith Whittaker and Kate Crawford founded the AI Now Institute at New York University, with the goal of "produc[ing] interdisciplinary research on the social implication…
aclu.org/blog/free-speech/employee-speech-and-whistleblowers/theres-battle-brewing-google-over-employee

Elizabeth Warren Calls for Investigation Into Monitoring of Family Separation Protests
Ryan Devereaux | theintercept.com | 2019-04-30
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren is calling on the Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Inspector General to open an internal investigation following revelations that a private intelligence firm provided the law enforcement agency with information on hundreds of protests against the Trump administration's policy of family separation. | "This most recent reporting raises questions about the government surveillance of Americans exercising their constitutional rights to organize peacefully and protest a cruel and unjust policy that does not make America safer or improve our immigration system and asylu…
theintercept.com/2019/04/30/elizabeth-warren-calls-for-investigation-into-monitoring-of-family-separation-protests/

Headlines for April 30, 2019
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2019-04-30
Venezuelan Opposition Leaders Claim a Coup Is Underway, Trump to Make Asylum Seekers Pay Application Fees, Trump Organization Sues Banks in Bid to Resist Congressional Subpoenas, Pentagon Links More U.S. Military Members to Neo-Nazi Group, Christchurch, NZ Police Find Explosive Device Amid Fears of More Anti-Muslim Violence, Terror Suspect Arrested After Receiving Fake Explosives from FBI Informant, Lori Gilbert-Kaye, Killed in Synagogue Shooting, Mourned at San Diego Funeral, Trump to Designate the Muslim Brotherhood a Terrorist Organization, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, Who Oversaw Mueller Probe, Ste…
www.democracynow.org/2019/4/30/headlines

FBI: The greatest danger comes from Beijing
unitedEditor | uwidata.com | 2019-04-29
Recently, FBI Director Christopher Wray declared that the greatest danger to the US is from Beijing, not Moscow. Director Wray: No country poses a broader, more severe intelligence collection threat than China. China has pioneered a societal approach to stealing innovation in any way it can, from a wide array of businesses, universities, & organizations. …
uwidata.com/3230-fbi-the-greatest-danger-comes-from-beijing/

How Movement To Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Prevailed Over Obstruction Of A Progressive Prosecutor
Jared Ware & Miles Quarles | shadowproof.com | 2019-04-29
A late December ruling by the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas Judge Leon Tucker re-opened pathways for long-time political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal to litigate his freedom. | "Progressive prosecutor" Larry Krasner's appeal of the ruling stood in the way until Wednesday, April 17. At issue was whether Ronald Castille–a former Philadelphia District Attorney, Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice, and Krasner transition team member–had a constitutional duty to recuse himself from Mumia's appeals of…
shadowproof.com/2019/04/29/how-movement-to-free-mumia-abu-jamal-prevailed-over-obstruction-of-a-progressive-prosecutor/

A Dangerous global trend (part two)
unitedEditor | uwidata.com | 2019-04-25
The Belgian intelligence service (VSSE) had earlier warned that members of a far-right racist group, mainly based in Austria and Belgium, were "actively arming themselves." According to the VSSE, the far-right in Western Europe began to "call on their members to learn to shoot and acquire weapons both legally and illegally." This information, alongside a …
uwidata.com/3213-a-dangerous-global-trend-part-two/

Free Advice for Democrats
Mark Fiore | progressive.org | 2019-04-25
Now that the redacted Mueller report lays out what appears to be evidence of a president obstructing justice, it's up to Congress.
progressive.org/dispatches/free-advice-for-democrats-fiore-190425/

Unequal Justice: As the Next Census Approaches, Will the Supreme Court Side with Trump in his War on Immigrants?
Bill Blum | progressive.org | 2019-04-25
The idea for reinstating the citizenship question came from discussions including White House chief strategist Steve Bannon and former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, both of whom have long histories as proponents of anti-immigrant policies.
progressive.org/dispatches/unequal-justice-census-supreme-court-voting-blum-190425/

An Indictment in All But Name
aclu.org | 2019-04-24
The report dispassionately lays out the facts, which are an indictment in all but name. | Special Counsel Robert Mueller's long-awaited report, released to the public in a redacted version on April 18, lays out in meticulous detail both a blatantly illegal effort by Russia to throw the 2016 presidential election to Donald Trump and repeated efforts by President Trump to end, limit, or impede Mueller's investigation of Russian interference. Trump's efforts included firing or attempting to fire those overseeing the investigation, directing subordinates to lie on his behalf, cajoling witnesses not to cooperate, and…
aclu.org/blog/executive-branch/indictment-all-name

Daniel Ellsberg Speaks Out on the Arrest of Julian Assange
Dennis J. Bernstein | progressive.org | 2019-04-23
"Without whistleblowers we would not have a democracy. And there have to be people to distribute work and publish it."
progressive.org/dispatches/daniel-ellsberg-on-arrest-of-julian-assange-bernstein-190423/

Venezuela: Canada Imposes Fresh Sanctions as Pompeo Vows to 'Tighten Noose'
Ricardo Vaz | venezuelanalysis.com | 2019-04-15
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the Lima Group have pledged more sanctions against Venezuela.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/14431